If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction, you have no doubt experienced a great deal of pain, frustration, anger and fear. Although addiction is indeed a disease, it baffles both the addict and the addict’s loved ones in ways not common to other medical and mental conditions. Addicts at the mercy of their disease betray themselves and those around them; as they destroy their bodies and their lives, addicts sometimes seem to be in systematic pursuit of death itself. If you are seeking answers about addiction and recovery, you are in the right place. Recovery from addiction is possible, and there is help available for substance abuse at drug rehabs in your city.

What is addiction?It is a compulsive, persistent need for a substance or behavior that the user cannot moderate or control, even though he or she knows it to be harmful. Many of us joke about certain behaviors, foods, activities and substances, saying, “I’m addicted to brownies” or “I’m addicted to running.” The general population vaguely understands that addicts must necessarily enjoy the objects of their dependency very much, often to the exclusion of anything else. But this is really only half the story. Addiction often begins because a person enjoys the feelings produced by drinking, shopping or gambling, for example. However, once a person is truly addicted, pleasure no longer motivates the behavior.

The Mayo Clinic says that physical addiction (one with a biological basis) occurs “when repeated use of a drug alters reward pathways in your brain.”

Once substance abuse crosses the line into the realm of actual physical dependency, it begins to manifest as increasing loss of control over when and how often the addict uses and how much of the substance he or she uses. Repeated failures at stopping or moderating one’s drinking, drug use or addictive behavior are a good sign that addiction is already firmly in place. Addicts are almost always preoccupied with their drug of choice and will go to great lengths to maintain an adequate supply.

How large is the problem of alcohol and drug addiction, really? The Addiction Project reports that approximately 23 million Americans are currently dealing with at least one addiction, with less than three million of those actively seeking treatment. The obvious question here is this: If so many people are sick enough to be called addicts, then why are so few of them getting help? The answer lies in one of the most troublesome characteristics of addiction – denial. Alcoholics Anonymous calls the disease of alcoholism “cunning, baffling, powerful.” Most addicts, especially those in abstinent recovery, would agree that their disease “tells” them that they do not have a disease.

Denial is what allows addiction to get out of control. It is what allows an individual who has suffered negative consequences as the result of chemical dependency to pick up the drink or drug one more time believing that, “This time will be different. I will keep it under control this time.”

Although an alcoholic or addict may indeed have episodes or even long periods where he or she seems to be controlling the urge, over time untreated addiction always gets worse.

What causes addiction?There is no specific answer to this question. Scientific research has identified trends and risk factors, but there are no absolutes when it comes to why a person becomes an addict. Childhood abuse, peer pressure, mental illness, anxiety, extreme stress and family history of addiction are all risk factors. Alcoholism in particular has been repeatedly shown to run in families. Alcoholism and other forms of addiction are doubly misunderstood and difficult to treat because although individuals are often predisposed by biology and family history to become addicted, the negative behavior patterns of addiction become even more firmly entrenched as coping mechanisms during the progression of the disease.

There are many myths about addiction and addicts, and some of these widespread assumptions actually prevent people from seeking the help they so desperately need. One popular misconception holds that addicts are lazy, weak-willed, stupid and self-indulgent people. Being addicted to anything results in a great deal of shame; the addict feels shame first because of being addicted in the first place, then again at having to admit to something taboo and embarrassing in order to get help. Experts in the fields of addiction medicine are unanimous on this point: alcoholics and addicts are not bad, they are sick.

In Myths of Addiction, Carlton K. Erickson, Ph.D., a leading researcher in addiction science, contends that “addicts have a brain disease that goes beyond their use of drugs.” Dr. Erickson goes on to challenge a related myth: that being addicted is a matter of willpower. While much useful therapy for this disease is behavioral therapy, this does not mean that the disease of addiction originates with conscious behavior. Medical research has shown repeatedly that the biological component of the disease “occurs in an area of the brain called the mesolimbic dopamine system which is not under conscious control.”

What are the signs of addiction?Addictive behavior is characterized by obsession with the substance or object of dependence. Chronic alcoholics are often obsessed with having enough alcohol to last them for a certain amount of time, such as through a Sunday when liquor stores are closed in their area. As their disease progresses, addicts lives will slowly begin to revolve around their dependency, with other aspects of life taking a backseat to their compulsion to feed the beast at all costs. Aside from glaring negative consequences, such as being arrested for drug possession or drinking and driving, other addiction symptoms include loss of control in acting out the addiction, financial problems, relationship problems, depression, apathy and physical illness. Addicts in the grip of their disease are often defensive and withdrawn, but they may also behave as though nothing is wrong.

Many sick alcoholics and addicts are so preoccupied by their dependency and so out of touch with reality that they do not realize how obvious it is that they are ill.

What are the most helpful methods of addiction recovery?No one method of addiction treatment works for every person. It goes without saying that for any approach to work, the addict must want to recover and commit to the process. For the profoundly addicted, detoxification under medical supervision is vital, because withdrawal from alcohol and other drugs can cause severe illness and even death. Detox is not treatment; it only stabilizes the addict medically and (hopefully) mentally so that rehabilitative treatment of some sort can take place. Recovered and relapsed addicts alike agree that without follow-up treatment in the form of rehab, aftercare and/or recovery meetings (12-step and other types), detox does nothing to ensure long-term recovery. Some addicts are prescribed medication to help them get clean and take the edge off cravings, while others find pharmaceutical help unnecessary or even limiting.

Many people who decide to get clean, get sober, stop gambling or spending – whatever the addictive behavior is – find 12-step programs to be helpful. These programs are based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, a spiritual program that has helped millions achieve sobriety since its inception in 1935. Its principles have proven helpful with various forms of addiction, spawning such groups as Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous and even Nicotine Anonymous.

There are many other helpful recovery programs as well, from SMART Recovery (which has a self-management focus) to Celebrate Recovery (which is Christian-based). There are plenty of ways to get sober. They all require work and willingness. If you think you have a problem with drugs, alcohol or a troublesome, compulsive behavior, talk to your doctor or clergy person, or call an informational hotline. Find a recovery meeting in your area and visit, even if you do not think their approach will help you. At the very least, you will meet someone who knows and shares your struggle.

HBO’s recent documentary series, Addiction, produced in partnership with The Addiction Project, has brought much-needed attention to the pandemic phenomenon of addiction in our country, as well as unprecedented strides recently made in understanding and treating this horrible and destructive disease. If you or someone you love is struggling with dependency, inform yourself and reach out for help. Help is available for those willing to seek it out and commit to recovery. As anyone in recovery can attest, there is indeed life beyond addiction.

Always Consult Your Physician FirstAlthough it is helpful to get health information by reading and talking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements. Be sure to always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its readers based on the information provided.

Do You Have An Addictive Personality?Is there something you just can't get enough of? For some addictive personalities, it's chocolate. For others, it's their weekly collection of lottery tickets. Some addictive personality types spend too much money, time and effort on their habits. Take the short quiz to find out if you have an addictive personality disorder.